The holidays are here, which means it’s the perfect time to snuggle up with a good movie! Sure, plenty of films target younger audiences, but midlife women need something relatable, empowering and satisfying, too.
That’s why our team has rounded up the five best movies for midlife women to cozy up with on chilly winter days. These films will make you laugh, cry and remind you that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself or to have a little adventure.
Good Luck to You, Leo Grande
You can absolutely rewire your sex life after 50, and that message sits at the heart of Good Luck to You, Leo Grande. Emma Thompson plays a trepid, uncertain woman who has spent her entire adult life believing pleasure simply wasn’t for her. That is, until she hires Leo Grande—a hot, confident, high-end sex worker who makes the experience feel comfortable and expansive.
Over a series of meetings, the two form a connection that’s just as emotional as it is physical, and Thompson’s character discovers a new appetite for sex and desire. This movie is a must-see for any woman looking to reaffirm the idea that sex can be just as pleasurable, if not more, later in life.
It’s Complicated
Starring Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin, It’s Complicated hits all the right notes for midlife women. Streep plays a divorced mother of three who slips into a secret affair with her ex-husband (Baldwin), sparking an unexpected love triangle between the two and Steve Martin.
This film balances charm and humor: Think secret pot smoking, adult children with lots of opinions and the joy of watching a 50-something woman rebuild and reclaim her life on her own terms.
The Intern
You might not expect a movie with a male lead on this list, but the story of a widowed man (Robert De Niro) joining a tech startup run by a young, ambitious CEO (Anne Hathaway) makes for a heartwarming tale. De Niro’s old-school wisdom, patience and perspective gradually rub off on the young office culture, creating funny, touching moments as generational lessons unfold.
It’s a story about connection, experience and the ways people of different ages can inspire each other. It’s a feel-good film that midlife women will love rewatching.
The Family Stone
A stacked cast of Diane Keaton, Sarah Jessica Parker and Claire Danes deliver a delightfully ridiculous holiday film packed with chaos, humor and generational clashes. This is the type of movie that can feel oddly comforting for midlife women.
It’s messy, full of cringe-worthy dinner-table debates, and is a reminder that family gatherings rarely go smoothly. Watching this family navigate their dysfunction can be a source of comfort (or just plain laughs) for any woman who’s survived–or is surviving–the holidays.
Mona Lisa Smile
Often touted as ‘a comfort movie at any stage of life’, Mona Lisa Smile will leave you feeling uplifted and inspired.
Set in the 1950s, Julia Roberts plays an art history teacher at the all-female Wellesley College, who goes off-syllabus to show her students that they can pursue a career as well as—or instead of—marriage. With its mix of heart and period nostalgia, this film is perfect for midlife women reflecting on choices, courage and the paths that shape a life.